First taking place way back in 1932, this revered festival takes place on the island of Lido in Venice in August and September each year.
The festival was the first international film festival, and while it may not be as well known as Cannes, it is certainly still a vital part of the film world’s calendar, not least because it serves to launch the autumn film season in Europe.
On the red carpet...
Initially, Venice was all about Hollywood glitz and glamour. These days, its focus is more on the art-house scene. Recent winners of the Golden Lion for best film have included Samuel Maoz’s Lebanon in 2009, Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain in 2005 and Mike Leigh’s Vera Drake in 2004. The list of previous winners covers all corners of the globe.
To get to the festival screenings, it’s easy to catch a boat over to the island. Tickets can be bought online from the festival website. Just like Cannes, the festival attracts a cast of Hollywood names, eager to be photographed in the centre of the action, and lots of film industry people who come to negotiate deals and generally see and be seen.
A number of films that weren’t ready in time to premiere at Cannes will do so at Venice. Among them, films by Sofia Coppola, Vincent Gallo, Julian Schnabel, Ben Affleck, and his brother, Casey Affleck. The festival will open with a screening of Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, a drama set backstage in the New York ballet scene. Aronofsky won a Golden Lion at the festival in 2008 for The Wrestler. Closing the proceedings will be Julie Trayor’s version of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, with Helen Mirren as a female Prospero (or Prospera).
The festival runs from 1-11th September.
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